she knows - tara carpenter

꧁eleven: the execution꧁

DAYLIGHT HAD BROKEN out at some point in New York City, although Quinn couldn't tell when. He'd been sitting in an ambulance practically the entire night. A large portion of that night was spent getting stitches in his face; he shook the entire time, which was why it took so long.

He hated the way the police lingered over Anika, as if she was some form of art they thought they could stare at. To Quinn, she was art, but not in that way.

Tara had tried to distract him, as had Maria, Mindy, and Chad, but it was to no use. He felt sick. Not only was Anika dead, but Penn's body had remained in the apartment with QB and her hookup's. It only made Quinn more nauseous to think about it. It was his fault they were dead.

Danny had been talking with Sam over by the fence, but the police called him over to ask more questions. Quinn looked up when he heard his name, and he prayed that he didn't have to relive that night to some investigator again.

"Chad, Quinn." said Ethan, looking stunned at the sight. Chad stormed over to him, grabbing Ethan by the collar and slamming him up against a nearby car.

"Where were you?" demanded Chad angrily.

"Wh-What?" exclaimed Ethan, looking horrified.

"Last night."

"I-I-I had Econ, you know this!"

"Bullshit, man! You disappear, my sister and Quinn almost get killed!"

"Listen, I was in a study hall with a hundred other people." Ethan told him slowly. "You can ask any of them."

Chad hesitated, before letting go of Ethan. He walked back to Mindy, looking down at her with worry. Mindy gave him an assuring half-smile. She looked past the cops to see that Alicia was still getting interrogated.

"Oh, my God." mumbled Ethan, his eyes lingering on the alleyway. Quinn clenched his jaw. "Who-?"

"Anika." replied Chad, glancing down at Quinn, who either ignored or missed his gaze.

Ethan looked over at Quinn, who stared up at him cautiously. He liked Ethan, in fact they'd been very close friends. However, he couldn't trust them. He didn't want to trust him.

"Quinn, I'm so sorry." he said with a wavering voice.

"Step the fuck back." snapped Mindy, and Ethan stopped where he was standing.

Quinn avoided Ethan's eyes as he said, "You're at the top of my list."

Ethan opened his mouth to respond, before shaking his head and bristling. He'd never seen Quinn so angry, and he was somewhat afraid of what Quinn would say to him.

"I-I had Econ!" Ethan insisted, running a hand through his hair. Quinn shook his head disapprovingly, looking back at the silent Pierce.

"Whatever you say, Landry." said Pierce stoically.

"I-I'll be right back." Tara told the group, putting her hand on Quinn's arm for a second before getting up and walking over to Sam, who was talking to a teary Detective Bailey— QB's dad.

Maria took the newly-opened spot beside Quinn, slinging an arm around him. She gave him a supportive smile.

"You okay?" she asked, looking past him at Mindy.

"No," he told her sternly. "No, I won't be. Not until I fucking kill this motherfucker."

Mindy, Chad, and Maria all exchanged worried glances. Mindy put a comforting hand on Quinn's leg as he shook his head.

"I'm not joking." he spoke quietly. "I swear to God, I'll do it with my own hands."

He stopped as Gale Weathers approached them, looking worried. Quinn looked up at her with wide eyes.